I'm Amy from Kentucky, and I have two kids: a 4 year old boy and a 2 year old girl. We have been lucky enough to join the YMCA this year and they provide childcare! The kids love it so it helps with the guilty feeling I sometimes have when I am trying to do something for just myself.

Hi everyone! I'm Jennifer. I'm a single mom to 3 amazing kiddos ages 9, 8, and 7. I got divorced about 6 years ago and went back to school full time with 3 toddlers. I finished school and got my career on track, but that did not leave much time or energy for taking care of myself. Now that my kiddos are a bit older and I have all my other ducks in a row I feel like I can't ignore my health any more. Eating has been my way to deal with stress, depression, and any all emotions I have felt over the last decade. I am feeling pretty good and 11 days in am down 4 pounds. Once I put my mind to something I can get it done...and my mind is all in on this one :)

My name is Rachel and I'm a single mom of 2 beautiful girls ages 17 & 7. I got divorced a year ago, after being separated since October 2012. It is very hard for me to find the time & energy to actually work out. I can't afford a gym membership... I can barely afford my car and rent!! Moving to a 3rd floor apartment helped a bit with the stairs but the biggest thing was the removal of my IUD after my divorce. The weight just fell off. I'm at a plateau now, and haven't lost anything this year. I came back onto sparkpeople looking at recipes and thought it was time to start tracking again... maybe I'm eating too much. I try to walk a mile a day, at work they have a walking trail that's 1.01 miles, but the weather here in CT has been rainy the last few days I would like to share that when I first started walking the trail I could only make it half way around the building, and then my back would hurt so bad I'd have to come back inside. Since I've lost the weight I rarely ever have back spasms any more, and the mile walk takes me about 15-20 min. I also like hiking in the woods weather/time permitting and my girls and I try to make it to six flags at least once a month. We went last Saturday and I walked 20,508 steps outside of the waterpark (no phone to track)! It equaled out to almost 10 miles... OK I'm rambling. LOL I hope to get some motivation from other single parents in this group!!

Hello everyone! My name is Kim and I am 42 years old. I am a single mom of 3 children...a 19 year old daughter in college, a 15 year old son in high school, and an 11year old daughter who will be in Jr. High next school year. I am happy to have found this team for single parents like myself....the support is welcomed and appreciated. I work full-time as a social worker, go to school part-time as a graduate student in a Professional Counseling program, and the rest of my time is spent caring for my children...which doesn't leave a lot of time for myself. My biggest challenge is finding time to work out and staying on tracking with good eating habits. With such a busy schedule, it is really hard to find time to exercise. I'm not a morning person so exercising in the morning is difficult (but would be ideal if I could just get up out of the bed... ) and exercising after work is difficult because I have to study or go to class and/or drive kids around for various events. But I'm going to try very hard to at least get some exercise in at least 3 to 4 days a week. Wish me luck and it is very nice meeting all of you!

Hi everyone, I'm Anita and I'm 37. I have a daughter who will be turning 6 soon. I've been on SP off and on for several years and this is my second profile on SP. In 2012, I joined WW and I finally lost 25 lbs. that I couldn't do on my own. Right now, I'm up 5 lbs. from where I usually am and I'm working on getting them down again (it would also be nice to lose more, but I'm just happy to get my clothes to not feel so snug anymore).

I've been a single mom for 9 months now and doing what I can to ensure I have a happy and healthy home.

Hi everyone my name is Angela and I am 26. I have a young son and I am ready to change my life and improve myself for us . I started on this site in September and it helped me loose some weight but then I decided that I was going to quite smoking too and change jobs which caused me to fall off the band wagon. Now I am ready to start my new life! I have a goal of a 100 lb weight loss. I am hoping to get there by this time next year which means roughly 8.5 pounds a month which seems like a feasible goal to me.Now its just staying focused. I am planing out my months and meals to help me stay on goal. I think the support from this site is definitely something that would help me stay on top of things. Any tips anyone has or just wanting to talk I am looking for friends who are in the same boat I look forward to hearing from you.

Hello everyone! I'm L'Erin. I'm a 32 year old, single mom of a 4 year old girl. I also teach Elementary School. I'm out to be a positive, healthy example for my daughter. So happy to see a group of people in the same boat who are being role models and successful each day!

Hello all, I hope you're having a great day. I am from Michigan and have 3 kids. After 14 years of working in the home, I am a substitute teacher looking for steady employment that also fits around my kids' school schedule. Not easy! I need to be a healthy weight for the kids and for me. I look forward to getting to know people here and being an encouragement.

Hi, I am Jeannie. I was named after the show and have always wanted the body so I can wear the costume. I recently celebrated my 45th birthday and did not like the image that was staring back at me. My son is 22 and has been the center of my world for a long time. I realize as a single parent I sacrificed me for his needs. As parents do we ever put ourselves before our kids without guilt. I know I don't.

Hi, I am Jeannie. I was named after the show and have always wanted the body so I can wear the costume. I recently celebrated my 45th birthday and did not like the image that was staring back at me. My son is 22 and has been the center of my world for a long time. I realize as a single parent I sacrificed me for his needs. As parents do we ever put ourselves before our kids without guilt. I know I don't.

Hi! Im Aly. I am the single mom to a three year old little man and a two year old little princess. I am ready to lose my weight and get back on track. I want to be healthy for my kids. They are my everything.

I would love some friends on here! It would be nice to talk to others that are in the same boat,

Hello all fellow single parents. I have been divorced for two years and I have two amazing boys. I have struggled with my weight almost my whole life. I started to make changes a year ago and have had some awesome success. It's tough being a single parent. I went back to school and got my degree, but I haven't started working yet. My youngest has autism so there have been some challenges there. I love how my weight loss has changed their lives and not just mine, I am much more active with them and love my self again. I look forward to getting to know some of you and help you through this awesome journey!

Hi Im Ali! Im a single mom from Alabama. I have a 4 year old son named Eli. Tomorrow will be one week with spark for me. My goals are to get down to 120, run a 5k, and have a over all healthyer family.

You never know how strong you are till being strong is the only option left.

Hi my name is Sarah, 33 yr old single mom of three... my kids are 12 10 and 7. I need to lose about 100 pounds, hoping that with support I can do this in a year. I want to show my kids a happier healthier mom glad to be able to be part of the team :)

Hi everyone! My name is Amanda and I am a single mom to an amazing 5 year old little man. I am trying to get my life healthy and active again for him. I was always athletic growing up and have slacked the past 6-7 years. Last year I lost about 15-20lbs but have gained it all back and then some. I am hoping this site will help give me the support needed to conquer my goals!

**Amanda** Taking it one day at a time!

**Goals** 10 Pounds by Christmas 2012 20 Pounds by February 28, 2013 30 Pounds by May 15, 2013 40 Pounds by July 4th 2013 50 Pounds by September 30, 2013

Hi, I'm Tim 46 year old single full time dad. I have a 17 year old daughter and 12 year old son. I've changed my fitness dramatically for my kids so I could handle the full load. I'm so tired lately though too many pokers in the fire right now. Well ttyl and good luck on your fitness journey.

Just saying hello to every1 and GL on your journeys! I'm Joy im a single mom to a 2 month old baby boy so im ready to start working out again and get my energy back! Its non existent LOL! and I hear ya Crystal same here that lil boy looks up and smiles and coos it melts your heart and you forget all the BS you ve been through!

I gained close to 40 lbs being PG and about 21 of that has come off so far! I was pretty skinny b4 so i know i wont get that small again but if i can just lose another 10 and get fit and toned i will be extremly happy!!

Hi Everyone :) I'm Crystal - a 28-year-old single mother to a 3-month-old amazing little boy. Life has definitely been a challenge, but when I see that little man smile up at me - everything melts away.

I am down to the last 19 pounds to lose and realize it's time to get a little more serious about this weight-loss thing. I want to be confident with myself and body and I want to be able to chase my little man around in the years to come.

Hi, i'm Mel. I have 2 gorgeous boys, 12 and 5 and i am on a journey to improve my overall health and lose weight. It's not an easy journey but it is one that i am determined to stick to so that i can set a great example for my boys. I havn't had much luck trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the past so i am hoping sparkpeople can give me the much needed support i require to complete my journey.

We have a great group of people here that offer a lot of support. I'm sure you will find that the weight loss journey will be slightly easier as well as more fun, here. Feel free to email me at any time if there is anything i can help with.

VK

LIfe is short, live every day like it's your last and don't forget to smile

Hi, everyone! I'm Shannon. I'm 34yr old mother of 3 boys! Oldest is 13 and twins are 8! Would love the support to lose more weight...lost 20 pounds last year after separation! I'm ON MY WAY!!! Would like to lose about 40 more! I can do it!!!

Hey everyone, My name is Sarah, I am a 24-year old parent of a 4-year old boy. I have been a member of spark people for awhile but I made a fresh start today and deleted my old account. I am looking to lose weight to feel good about myself. I have been up and down for awhile but since me and my boyfirend broke up I have found it much easier to lose weight and would like to keep it that way!

Hi all! I'm Gina, I'm 45, and a single parent to an awesome almost-16 year old son named Tyler Dean. It's been he and I against the world since my divorce when he was 2, and we are a heck of a team.

I have 75 pounds to lose, have lost 16 since I began in mid-September, and keep trying to tell myself that the slower the weight comes off the better chance I have of keeping it off. Someone please tell me that's right!! Lol.

Hi! I'm Tina, and I'm a single Mommy of 3 year old twin girls. I am aiming to lose about 57 pounds. I really just started using SP yesterday and am hoping to hear some good tips from other single parents about how to juggle kids, work, and fitness. I want to be a good role model for my girls and also be healthy for myself!

Hi everyone. My name is Ashlee. I am single mom at 24 of a 5 year old boy. I am currently a college student online and am working on becoming healthier. I am struggling to stay motivated to exercise the way I should. I am doing great at watching and tracking what I eat but the exercising is plaguing me terribly. I just finished coaching youth volleyball and so I don't have that for exercise anymore.

Hello everyone, my name is Carlos and I'm a single dad to a six year old boy (Stephen). I joined Sparkpeople about a month ago and I have say its an awsome site to stay motivated. I'm part of the P90x team, but being a single parent I thought It'd be cool to join a team with members I could relate to from a parental standpoint that also have an incentive to live an active and healthy lifestyle and of course inculcate this in their little ones.

Hi, I'm Jasmine, I am single mother at 19 of a wonderful 2 year old boy named Kova. I ended my relationship with his father about 1 1/2 years ago, and he hasn't come around much since. Last time he saw his son was Sept of '10. And he doesn't help in any way shape or form. So I'm on my own. Thank God I have a wonderful mother there with me every step of the way helping me get on my feet.

Hi Everyone, My name is Aimee, I am a single mother of an 8 yr. old boy. He keeps me in line with my diet. I don't think it helped that I told him we need to change our eating habits or I'm going to die.I figured if pinkie swearing with him to quit smoking worked than this won't be very hard either. It has been a positive change for the both of us. I was even told that my complexion looks great. I am in day 20 of sparkpeople, I've lost 7lbs. so far. I love it, my whole outlook on food has changed completely. Who would ever have thought that almond butter & hummus was so good.

I've been off and on spark since March. Well.... been here but kept to myself for a couple of months. Going through a really long and hard divorce and my eating goes along with the stress.... up and down like a yo yo...

I have a 9 yr old daughter that means everything to me. Need and want to stay healthy for her. It's been a couple of months since I weighed in but worked really hard these past couple of weeks. I hit my 50 lbs lost today!!! It was a lot of hard work but so worth it !!!!

This week will be a stressful one but hoping to keep the motivation going...

Hello.. My name is Crystal.. I am going through a divorce at the moment ... im a single mother of 2 ... Lost 120lbs .. then had my beautiful daughter and gained a lot of weight with her .. now working on losing my weight again .. for the last time .. stress is making it hard .. but i know in time it will happen!

Hi Davy(4DDADDY) ! I can relate I quit smoking in 09 and then proceeded to drop 70lbs after joining spark people. My 2 daughters were imitating my smoking with lolipop sticks and always wanted to go to McDonalds. Now they know why Daddy lifts weights, cuts carbs and we eat alot healthier. The kids will follow right along dont you worry about that, Good luck and Enjoy the journey!

Hi, I quit smoking December 08 on my son's second birthday and now I have to change my diet and exercise habits to be around longer for him and set an appropriate example as well. This is my first day. Looks like a lot of resources & support here. Davy

Hello everyone! I'm Meghan and I am a single mom to an incredible 2 year old son. I don't want my weight to prevent me from doing fun things with him and dating again. Right now, I am on a dating hiatus until I feel better about me. Thanks for reading.

Hi, I'm Dianne and my husband moved out Memorial Day weekend, he went to back to live with his mother who is currently living on the floor in a friends one bedroom apartment. He has no job, they have no home. I think I'm going to be ok.

I have 3 kids 27, 19, 14. The oldest 2 are doing well. The youngest lives at home with me. I'm looking forward to meeting other positive minded single parents - I'm not looking for dating, just friends.

Hi, I'm Kendra. I'm a 25 yr old single mom to a 1 yr old little girl whose name is Marlee. I work part time and take care of her the rest. I'm hoping to get fit as best I can so that she can see what a strong, confident woman I really am!

Hi, my name is Jaki. I'm a single mom going to school full time. My son is named Jack and he is 18 months old. He is amazing. I've had difficulty losing weight just found out it's because of medical issues but it seems I'm on the right track now. I'm hoping to lose another 30 pounds by next year. Life can be tough but one look from my son and it all melts away!!

Hi! I am 48 and mom to an 18 year-old young man. He's a senior (sniff, sniff). We live in Northern California. I am a seventh and eighth grade English teacher, so, yes, I'm nuts. I had laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in 2005. I got to goal, but I have put a little back on. I would like to lose 27 pounds to be at goal again. I am looking for friends. If anyone has suggestions for exercising in a second-floor apartment, I'm all ears. Thanks for your help. I look forward to knowing all of you.

I've been on SparkPeople for years. It's a great site. I fell off the wagon last December and have gradually put back on the 20lbs I had lost. I live in West Volusia (north of Orlando). I'm going to Seminole State College full time and have a work study at a nearby Elementary School (but am not an education major).

My brother practically had me sold on an HCG diet, but I decided I want to try a 1200 calorie diet for a while before considering that any more.

Hello. My name is Sabrina. I don't know why this is so hard. I am not new to spark, but am back again and working really hard to undo the damage i have done to my body. I could use lots of encouragement.

Good morning!! I've been exactly where you are. My daughter is now 17, but when she was thirteen, she aged out of all the after-school programs. I'm not sure what part of the country you're in, but see if there is a local Boys and Girls Club in your area. They are usually very inexpensive and provide structured care till at least six or six thirty. They also pick them up from school. Also, the local Y provides care till six everyday. They are a lot more expensive, but they also provide scholarships that will cover half or all of the cost. In many areas, they provide rides to and from the facility. The evening care is a different animal, altogether. I'm not sure who you would contact for that. Although, if there is a college in your town, you may want to consider a college student who could come to your home and stay with them until you get home. They would probably do it for little of nothing, especially if you give them access to your fridge. : ) They could help her with her homework and even give her a ride to extra cirricular activities, if needed. A community college could probably provide you with a list of qualified students in their early childhood education or daycare provider classes. I got close with a friend of my daughter's parents and they allowed her to ride the bus home with their daughter and they let her stay until I got home from work. They worked, too, but on teacher work days, the two stayed home by themselves together. It wasn't my ideal situation, but it was better than her being home alone. It worked great. I know it's hard, but don't give up. The Lord will make a way. Ask my daughter. She'll tell you that we're still here and she's still alive. ; ) Hope these help!

I am a single parent of a soon to be, 13 yr old daughter. I am looking for work and hopefully will find something soon! My delima is knowing what to do with her when and if I have to work after she gets out of school in the evenings at 3pm. If I get this job I applied for, it is possible that I will have to work until 9pm. Then of course, there are the smmmer months when she will be home all day long. She is afraid to stay by herself and to be honest, I do not feel comfortable with her being alone either. Its such a worry!! This job that I 'might' get, does not pay enough to hire a babysitter/teenage sitter. I do not have any family near by and her father lives too far away as well. My friends are working and the ones that are not, are single parents and way to busy with their own kids.

Oh my!! Just setting here contemplating this....over and over in my mind, so I thought I would write it down and maybe ......get some ideas on what to do....

Should I just forget work? .....being home every day and every day and just existing with very little income is NOT good!

Hello. My name is Rosa and I have a 15 year old teenage (drama) daughter. I joined SP and have changed my life to a healthier one because I want to be an example for her. Both of my parents have various illnesses and my father recently had heart surgery. I do not want to have issues and I want to enjoy life to the fullest extent at any age.

That is why I joined SP. It helps me keep track of my food intake, the exercises, motivated w/ other SP members blogs, informed w/ great articles and open to new ways to cook dishes healthier w/ recipes.

Hi. I'm a 30-something with a sweet, smart, active 2 1/2 year old boy. I've been a single mom since the beginning, although my son's dad came around for him eventually and now they spend every other weekend together. My boy is the center of my universe and I love every moment of my time with him, so it's for him that I want to get healthy in order to not limit what we can do together, since my current weight makes me uncomfortable doing things like taking him swimming or getting in pictures with him.

Hi! I am new to the team, not SP! I am a single mom of a 12 year old daughter, been single for about 5 years. Anyhoo, lost 41 pounds last year with SP and am just now starting P90X to lose the last 20 and get toned!

THought I would join up with a team who knows all about the roughness of being a single parent!

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